Justice News

Stillwell Sentenced For Gun Charges

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that James L. Stillwell, aged 45, from Cordele, Georgia, was sentenced on Thursday, February 27, 2014, to serve nine years (108 months) in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon by the Honorable W. Louis Sands, United States District Court Judge, in Albany, Georgia.

Mr. Stillwell entered a plea of guilty to the charge on November 15, 2013. As a part of his plea agreement, Mr. Stillwell admitted that he was arrested on November 17, 2012 by a Georgia Department of Natural Resources officer who found him in possession of a rifle while deer hunting.

Mr. Stillwell also admitted that on November 11, 2010, he had been arrested by deputies from Crisp County Sheriff’s Office after he pulled a gun on an employee of Hubbard’s Salvage Yard in Crisp County and threatened to “blow him away” because the salvage yard would not haul away certain items of junk from Mr. Stillwell’s yard. The officers found a revolver and two long barrel rifles in Mr. Stillwell’s vehicle. Mr. Stillwell had also been convicted of possession of marijuana and firearms on two other occasions in 2011. Mr. Stillwell was prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm because of his previous convictions.

U.S. Attorney Michael Moore said, “Convicted felons are prohibited from having guns. In this case, not only did Mr. Stillwell unlawfully possess a firearm, he used it to threaten innocent people”.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jim Crane.

Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, United States Attorney's Office at (478) 621-2603.